meet Maria
foodie, art enthusiast, and visual designer turned entrepreneur
Zelos Authentic Greek Artisan was created in 2017 by Maria Kalomenidou, a Greek visual designer and art enthusiast living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Maria wanted to share with others her zēlos (“zeal”) for healthy and tasty Greek food and to give back to the land of her birth by helping authentic Greek artisans find their American audience. In her more than thirty years abroad, good food has always been for Maria a way of living a happy and healthy life, of offering love, of nurturing strong ties with family and friends. With Zelos she shares her desire to showcase the flavors and drive that are modern Greece.
Zelos Authentic Greek Artisan suspended its marketplace operations in March 2025. While we no longer sell products, we remain passionate about sharing our love for Greek gastronomy and culture.
The Zelos Greek Artisan Philosophy
We bring to the US authentic, responsibly-sourced, Greek flavors, while helping small businesses in Greece to grow and prosper. Together with our Artisans, we work with zēlos, the Greek word for zeal,great energy and enthusiasm, allowing you to experience the tastes of modern Greece from afar.
We know you value clean, all-natural food. We, too, are convinced that small-batch artisanal food is a healthier and tastier alternative to industrially-processed foods. We only choose organic or all-natural products that are produced locally in Greece.
We know that authentic experiences are important to you. We want you to enjoy the true taste of modern Greecethat goes beyond the clichés, to enjoy the same genuine flavors that we grew up with and to discover contemporary Greek cuisine at its best.
We know that you care for the social impact of your choices. When you buy one of our Artisans' products, you support a small business with big dreams. Our producers work in a very challenging economic environment, yet make it a point to help their local communities.
The Zelos Promise
